Hinge system

ABSTRACT

An agricultural machine includes a center section having a first aperture, a wheel supporting the center section, a wing section connected to the center section and having a second aperture, and a hinge positioned between the center section and the wing section to permit the wing section to pivot about the center section. The hinge includes a pin having a first end and a second end. The pin extends through the first and second apertures to connect the wing section to the center section. A first fastener engages the center section or the wing section and is adjacent to the first end of the pin to thereby retain the pin in the first and second apertures. A second fastener engages the center section or the wing section and is adjacent to the second end of the pin to thereby retain the pin in the first and second apertures.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

This disclosure relates generally to pivoting pins and hinges.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

Agricultural implements and machines, including various cultivators,plows, tillers, rippers, seeders, nutrient applicators, etc., are usedto work the soil of crop fields. These two to five thousand poundimplements and machines are often towed behind tractors. Tillage andother agricultural implements in particular perform a variety of tasks,such as breaking up tough ground, turning the soil, and eradicatingweeds. Traveling at 10 to 15 mph, the impact of portions of theseimplements or machines with the ground generates large forces on certaincomponents (e.g. hinges, flanges, shanks, disks, gangs, andelectronics).

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

Various aspects of example embodiments are set out below and in theclaims. Embodiments include hinges or pivotal joints that are buttressedby bolts or bushings so that the hinge pin does not fall out. Otherembodiments are disclosed in the detailed description, accompanyingdrawings and claims.

Some embodiments include an agricultural machine having a centersection, a wheel supporting the center section, a wing section coupledto the center section, and a hinge positioned between the center sectionand the wing section. The hinge permits the wing section to pivot aboutthe center section. The hinge includes a first part having a firstprotrusion defining a first aperture, the first part is connected to thecenter section, a second part having a second protrusion, the secondprotrusion defining a second aperture, the second part is coupled to thewing section, and a pin having a first end and a second end. The pinextends through the first and second apertures to connect the first partand the second part such that the wing section can be pivoted withrespect to the center section. A first fastener is positioned adjacentthe first end of the pin. The first fastener is operable to couple thefirst part to the center section and to abut the first end of the pin tothereby retain the pin in the first and second apertures. A secondfastener is positioned adjacent the second end of the pin. The secondfastener operable to couple the first part to the center section and toabut the second end of the pin to thereby retain the pin in the firstand second apertures.

Some embodiments include a hinge for an agricultural machine having acenter section, a wheel supporting the center section, a wing sectionconnected to the center section, and a hinge positioned between thecenter section and the wing section. The hinge permits the wing sectionto pivot about the center section. The hinge includes a first parthaving a first protrusion and defining a first aperture, the first partis connected to the center section, a second part having a secondprotrusion and defining a second aperture, the second part is connectedto the wing section, and a pin having a first end and a second end. Thepin extends through the first and second apertures to connect the firstpart and the second part such that the wing section can pivot withrespect to the center section. A first fastener is adjacent to the firstend of the pin. The first fastener connects the second part to the wingsection and abuts the first end of the pin to thereby retain the pin inthe first and second apertures. A second fastener is adjacent to thesecond end of the pin. The second fastener connects the second part tothe wing section and abuts the second end of the pin to thereby retainthe pin in the first and second apertures.

Some embodiments include an agricultural machine that has a centersection having a first aperture, a wheel supporting the center section,a wing section connected to the center section and having a secondaperture, and a hinge positioned between the center section and the wingsection to permit the wing section to pivot about the center section.The hinge includes a pin having a first end and a second end. The pinextends through the first and second apertures to connect the wingsection to the center section. A first fastener engages the centersection or the wing section and is adjacent to the first end of the pinto thereby retain the pin in the first and second apertures. A secondfastener engages the center section or the wing section and is adjacentto the second end of the pin to thereby retain the pin in the first andsecond apertures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The Detailed Description refers to the following example figures:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an example tillage implement, acultivator containing many pivot points and hinges.

FIG. 2 is a top perspective magnified view of an example foldablesection of the tillage implement of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a top perspective magnified view of the circled section ofFIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a partial exploded view of an example hinge plate region ofFIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a partial exploded view of an example buttressed hinge systemof FIG. 3.

FIG. 6 is a side view of part of buttressed hinge system of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a side view of another example buttress.

FIG. 7A is a side view of another example buttress.

FIG. 8 is a side view of an example sunken buttress.

FIG. 9 is a side view of another example sunken buttress.

FIG. 9A is a side view of another example sunken buttress.

FIG. 9B is a side view of another example sunken buttress that isinterlocked to an example hinge plate.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 shows an example tillage implement in which hinges areincorporated. The hinged tillage implement is illustrated as amulti-section, articulated field cultivator 20 with wings. Arrow 21indicates the direction of travel of the cultivator 20. The cultivator20 includes five frame sections, which are pivotally-hinge joined in afoldable configuration. From left to right in FIG. 1, the frame sectionsinclude: (i) a first outer wing section 23, (ii) a first inner wingsection 24, (iii) a main frame section 25, (iv) a second inner wingsection 26, and (v) a second outer wing section 27. The inner wingsections 24 and 26 are hinged together at opposing lateral sides of themain frame section 25 and can pivot about first and second inner hingelines 30, respectively. The outer wing sections 23 and 27 are pivotallyhinged together at the lateral outer sides of the inner wing sections 24and 26, respectively, and can pivot about first and second outer hingelines 32. In embodiments where the hinge lines 30 and 32 extendsubstantially parallel to the fore-aft axis, the hinge lines 30 and 32may alternatively be referred to as “fore-aft hinge axes.” Thecultivator wing sections fold above and rotate over (pivot around) thehinge lines 30 and 32. Such a multi-section hinged design enables thecultivator 20 to transition from the unfolded operational state shown inFIG. 1 to a laterally compact, folded state to facilitate transport onroadways. The cultivator 20 is supported by a plurality of wheels 40.

Other than tillage machines, other agricultural machines includeplanters or sprayers that have articulated sections. For instance,sprayers have articulated air booms or fluid distribution booms. Thepivoting hinge joints between the boom sections, especially the jointregion between the boom and the center rack of the vehicle, encounterlarge shearing and rotational forces.

FIG. 2 depicts a top perspective magnified view of the main framesection 25 and the second inner wing section 26 of the cultivator ofFIG. 1. A hinge system 50 is circled. Hinge systems 50 are located wherethe frame of the cultivator 20 rotates about hinge lines 30 or 32. Theframe of cultivator 20 bends and folds so that a plane of the wingsections 23 and 24 can be positioned upright and perpendicular to theground. The hinge system 50 can include jointed devices, pin joints,pivot hinges, barrel hinges, leaf hinges, butt hinges, and so on.

FIG. 3 depicts an example embodiment of the hinge system 50 thatincludes a first hinge part 52 and a second hinge part 54 that mate toeach other. Sometimes the first hinge part 52 is termed a receiving orfemale part of a hinge and the second hinge part 54 is a tongue or malepart of a hinge. The illustrated hinge parts 52 and 54 are joinedtogether by a pivot connection via a hinge pin 82. The hinge parts 52and 54 are mounted to frame members on adjacent sections of fieldcultivator 20 (e.g. FIG. 1). For example, the first hinge part 52 ismounted to an end of a lateral frame member 62 in the main frame section25 (FIG. 1), while the second hinge part 54 is mounted to an end of alateral frame member 70 included in the second inner wing section 26.Any combination of structural features, welding, mounting hardware,and/or joinder techniques can be utilized to attach the hinge parts 52and 54 to their respective frame members 62 and 70.

With reference to FIGS. 5 and 6, the illustrated first hinge part 52includes a hinge plate 56 and two half circular rings or clevises 58. Inthe illustrated embodiment, the clevises 58 are manufactured as a singlepiece (e.g. casting) with the hinge plate 56. The illustrated hingeplate 56 can extend out beyond an outer lateral width W₁ of the pair ofclevises 58. The hinge illustrated hinge plate 56 extends out a distanceW₂ on either side of the two clevises 58 of hinge part 52. The overallhinge plate width is W₃. In some embodiments, the hinge plate 56 isnarrower than depicted in FIG. 5. For example, the width W₃ of hingeplate 56 can be only 5% to 10% wider than the outer lateral width W₁ ofthe pair of clevises 58. Hinge plate 56 is bolted to or mounted to aflange 60 that is attached to the rest of the frame section of thecultivator 20.

In some embodiments, the hinge parts 52 and 54 can include any numberand type of mating features to form the pivotal or hinge coupling.Either or both of the hinge parts 52 and 54 can include one or more maleconnector features, female connector features, or combinations thereof.For example, in certain embodiments, the hinge parts 52 and 54 include anumber of knuckles and fingers, respectively, which mate in aninterleaved or alternating configuration to form a hinge joint. In theillustrated example, the hinge part 52 includes a pair of clevises 58that protrude out substantially perpendicular to the mounting flange 60.The two clevises 58 are substantially parallel to each other andseparated by a groove 72. The second hinge part 54 includes a maleconnector feature in the form of a tongue 68, which is received withinthe groove 72 when the hinge system 50 is assembled. When receivedwithin the groove 72, the tongue 68 can rotate relative to the firsthinge part 52 about a hinge line axis 51 (see FIG. 5), which is coaxialwith the rightmost fore-aft hinge line 30 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

In FIG. 5, openings 74 are defined by the first hinge part 52 and anopening 76 is defined by the tongue 68 of second hinge part 54. When thetongue 68 is received within the groove 72, the opening 76 aligns withcorresponding openings 74 located in the clevises 58. A hinge pin 82 isinserted into aligning openings 74 and 76 to provide the hinge coupling.The hinge pin 82 has a smooth-surface cylindrical section for pivotallyjoining together the hinge parts 52 and 54. In some embodiments, thehinge pin 82 can include an anchor, bolt, dowel pin or flag pin.

FIGS. 3-5 illustrate bolts 64, bushings 120, bolts 122, and nuts 124(located behind flange 60, a nut, or nut and washer, or cap nut, and soon). As shown in FIG. 6, the bushings 120 have a first length L₁protruding from the hinge plate 56. The top of the hinge pin 82 ispositioned a second length L₂ from the hinge plate 56. The first lengthL₁ is greater than L₂ so that the bushings 120 overlap at least aportion of the respective ends of the pin 82. The illustrated bushings120 are substantially centered with the hinge pin 82. In the illustratedembodiment, the bushings 120 overlap a majority of the end of the hingepin 82. In some embodiments, the bushings 120 can cover the entire endsof the hinge pin 82. The bushings 120 prevent the pin 82 from fallingout of the openings 74 and 76.

In some embodiments, the bottom of bushing 120 either directly contactsthe hinge plate 56 or there is an epoxy or some other adhesive betweenthe bushing 120 and the hinge plate 56. In some embodiments, the contactsurface between the hinge plate 56 and the bottom of the bushing 120 issanded or roughened so as to increase the friction to form a bettercontact. The nut 124 that is screwed onto the bolt 122 can also beadhesively contacted to the flange 60. In yet other embodiments, acombination of these techniques is used to form a tighter contact orbond between the bushing 120 and the hinge plate 56.

The illustrated bushings 120 have a circular cross section with asubstantially constant diameter. In other embodiments, the bushings canhave a hexagonal, an octagonal or a square cross section. In someembodiments, the bushings can have a variable cross section.

FIG. 7 illustrates an alternative embodiment of a bushing 122′ that istapered in shape. The base of the bushing 120′ is larger nearest thehinge plate 56. A larger base can increase the stability of the bushing120′, increasing its ability to remain stationary if the hinge pin 82presses against the bushing 120′.

Alternatively, FIG. 7A depicts another embodiment where a bushing 120″has a narrower surface area where the bushing 120″ meets the hinge plate56. A narrower surface area is useful in situations where the extendedarea of the hinge plate 56 is small and can only accommodate a thinneror more slender buttress. Also since the bushing 120″ widens up near thehinge pin 82, the hinge pin 82 can be abutted by the bushing 120″.

In some embodiments, the hinge plate can be recessed to receive at leasta portion of the bushing. FIG. 8 depicts an embodiment of a hinge plate256 including a recess 257 into which a bushing 320 fits. The recess 257is an opening that is large enough to accommodate the base diameter ofthe bushing 320. The depth of the recess 257 depends on the thickness ofhinge plate 256. For example, the depth may nominally be 5-10% of thethickness of hinge plate 256. But if the hinge plate 256 is thick (e.g.1-2 inches), the depth can be increased to 10-25%. The bushing 320 ismore anchored and stable when placed in the recess 257 and less likelyto move than if it were located only on the surface of hinge plate 256.The remaining elements of FIG. 8 correspond to FIGS. 3-6, but arenumbered in the “200” series.

FIG. 9 depicts another embodiment of a hinge plate 256 including arecess 257 that receives a portion of a bushing 320′. The recess 257 isan opening that is large enough to accommodate at least the basediameter of the half-cone bushing 320′. The illustrated bushing 320′ isconical, but in other embodiments, the bushing may be a half-pyramid orhave a cross section that is hexagonal, octagonal or square. The depthof recess 257 again depends on the thickness of hinge plate 256. Therecess 257 can extend about 5-10% of the thickness is suitable withoutcompromising the structural integrity of the hinge plate 256. Theremaining elements of FIG. 9 correspond to FIGS. 3-6, but are numberedin the “200” series.

FIG. 9A depicts yet another embodiment of a hinge plate 456 including arecess 457 that receives a portion of a bushing 520. The recess 457 islarge enough to accommodate at least the top (narrower) diameter of thehalf-cone bushing 520. Since the area of the bushing 520 that contactsthe hinge plate 456 is now smaller, the diameter or area of the recess457 is now also correspondingly smaller. The remaining elements of FIG.9A correspond to FIGS. 3-6, but are numbered in the “400” series.

FIG. 9B depicts yet another embodiment a hinge plate 656 that includes arecess 657 in which a bushing 720 fits. The recess 657 has an openingthat is shaped so as to key-mated (interlocked) to the shape of the basediameter of the bushing 720. The opening of recess 657 extends to thetop edge of the hinge plate 656. During assembly, the larger end of thebushing 720 is first slid into the recess 657. Then the bolt 722 isinserted through the bushing 720 and the nut 724 is screwed onto thebolt 722. Since the recess 657 has a narrow collar opening 659 that issmaller in surface area than the surface area of the bottom end ofbushing 720, the bushing 720 is unlikely to fall out. The depth of therecess 657 is greater than 10% (e.g. 10-40%) to prevent the bushing 720from falling out. In the embodiment of FIG. 9B, even if the bushing 720were not bolted down by bolt 722 and nut 724, there is decreased chancefor a hinge pin 682 to fall out because the bushing 720 alone is alreadyretained in the recess 657. The remaining elements of FIG. 9B correspondto FIGS. 3-6, but are numbered in the “600” series.

In operation, the hinge system 50 provides a pivot connection betweenthe frame member 62 of the main frame section 25 and the frame member 70of the second inner wing section 26. This hinged connection, along withother hinged connections included within the winged field cultivator 20,allows the second inner wing section 26 to rotate upwardly with respectto the main frame section 25 when the winged field cultivator 20transitions from its unfolded operational to the folded transport state.The bushings 120, 120′, 120″, 320, 320′, 520 and 720 prevent therespective hinge pin 82, 282, 482 and 682 from falling out.

Many of the orientations stated in this disclosure and claims are withreference to the direction of travel of the machine (e.g. rearward isopposite the direction of travel). But, the directions, e.g. “behind”are merely illustrative and do not orient the embodiments absolutely inspace. That is, a structure manufactured on its “side” or “bottom” ismerely an arbitrary orientation in space that has no absolute direction.Also, in actual usage, for example, the tillage machine or constructionexcavator equipment may be operated or positioned at an angle becausethe implements may move in many directions on a hill; and then, “top” ispointing to the “side.” Thus, the stated directions in this applicationmay be arbitrary designations.

In the present disclosure, the descriptions and example embodimentsshould not be viewed as limiting. Rather, there are variations andmodifications that may be made without departing from the scope of theappended claims. The hinge disclosed can also be utilized on otherequipment, such as construction equipment or forestry equipment.

What is claimed is:
 1. An agricultural machine comprising: a centersection; a wheel supporting the center section; a wing section coupledto the center section; and a hinge positioned between the center sectionand the wing section to permit the wing section to pivot about thecenter section, the hinge comprising a first part including a firstprotrusion defining a first aperture extending therethrough, the firstpart coupled to the center section, a second part including a secondprotrusion, the second protrusion defining a second aperture extendingtherethrough, the second part coupled to the wing section, a pin havinga first end and a second end, the pin positioned to extend through thefirst and second apertures to couple the first part and the second partsuch that the wing section is pivotably coupled to the center section, afirst fastener positioned adjacent the first end of the pin, the firstfastener operable to couple the first part to the center section and toabut the first end of the pin to thereby retain the pin in the first andsecond apertures, and a second fastener positioned adjacent the secondend of the pin, the second fastener operable to couple the first part tothe center section and to abut the second end of the pin to therebyretain the pin in the first and second apertures.
 2. The agriculturalmachine of claim 1, wherein the first fastener comprises a first bolt, afirst nut, and a first bushing, the first bushing positioned adjacent tothe first end of the pin.
 3. The agricultural machine of claim 2,wherein the second fastener comprises a second bolt, a second nut, and asecond bushing, the second bushing positioned adjacent to the second endof the pin.
 4. The agricultural machine of claim 3, wherein the firstpart further comprises a third protrusion and a third aperture, the pinextending through the third aperture.
 5. The agricultural machine ofclaim 3, wherein the second part further comprises a third protrusionand a third aperture, the pin extending through the third aperture. 6.The agricultural machine of claim 1, wherein the wing section is a firstwing section and the hinge is a first hinge, the agricultural machinefurther comprising a second wing section coupled to the center sectionand a second hinge positioned between the center section and the secondwing section to permit the second wing section to pivot about the centersection.
 7. A hinge for an agricultural machine including a centersection defining a first aperture, a wheel supporting the centersection, and a wing section coupled to the center section, the wingsection defining a second aperture, the hinge positioned between thecenter section and the wing section to permit the wing section to pivotabout the center section, the hinge comprising: a pin having a first endand a second end, the pin positioned to extend through the first andsecond apertures to pivotably couple the wing section to the centersection; a first fastener engaging one of the center section and thewing section and positioned adjacent the first end of the pin to therebyretain the pin in the first and second apertures, and a second fastenerengaging one of the center section and the wing section and positionedadjacent the second end of the pin to thereby retain the pin in thefirst and second apertures.
 8. The hinge of claim 7, wherein the firstfastener comprises a first bolt, a first nut, and a first bushing, thefirst bushing positioned adjacent to the first end of the pin.
 9. Thehinge of claim 8, wherein the second fastener comprises a second bolt, asecond nut, and a second bushing, the second bushing positioned adjacentto the second end of the pin.
 10. The hinge of claim 9, wherein thefirst part further comprises a third protrusion and a third aperture,the pin extending through the third aperture.
 11. The hinge of claim 9,wherein the second part further comprises a third protrusion and a thirdaperture, the pin extending through the third aperture.
 12. The hinge ofclaim 7, wherein the wing section is a first wing section and the hingeis a first hinge, the agricultural machine further comprising a secondwing section coupled to the center section and a second hinge positionedbetween the center section and the second wing section to permit thesecond wing section to pivot about the center section.
 13. Anagricultural machine comprising: a center section defining a firstaperture; a wheel supporting the center section; a wing section coupledto the center section, the wing section defining a second aperture; anda hinge positioned between the center section and the wing section topermit the wing section to pivot about the center section, the hingecomprising a pin having a first end and a second end, the pin positionedto extend through the first and second apertures to pivotably couple thewing section to the center section, a first fastener engaging one of thecenter section and the wing section and positioned adjacent the firstend of the pin to thereby retain the pin in the first and secondapertures, and a second fastener engaging one of the center section andthe wing section and positioned adjacent the second end of the pin tothereby retain the pin in the first and second apertures.
 14. Theagricultural machine of claim 13, wherein the first fastener comprises afirst bolt, a first nut, and a first bushing, the first bushingpositioned adjacent to the first end of the pin.
 15. The agriculturalmachine of claim 14, wherein the second fastener comprises a secondbolt, a second nut, and a second bushing, the second bushing positionedadjacent to the second end of the pin.
 16. The agricultural machine ofclaim 15, wherein the center section further comprises a thirdprotrusion and a third aperture, the pin extending through the thirdaperture.
 17. The agricultural machine of claim 15, wherein the wingsection further comprises a third protrusion and a third aperture, thepin extending through the third aperture.
 18. The agricultural machineof claim 13, wherein the wing section is a first wing section and thehinge is a first hinge, the agricultural machine further comprising asecond wing section coupled to the center section and a second hingepositioned between the center section and the second wing section topermit the second wing section to pivot about the center section. 19.The agricultural machine of claim 13, wherein both the first fastenerand the second fastener engage the center section.
 20. The agriculturalmachine of claim 13, wherein both the first fastener and the secondfastener engage the wing section.